WSU THAD participants at KCACTF 45 – Lincoln, Nebraska
The Winona State University Department of Theatre and Dance (THAD) was awarded and recognized at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) Region V, held Jan. 20-25 at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
THAD received Certificates of Merit for: “The Adventure of Treasure Island”-Achievement in House Management for Holly Anderson; “Dames at Sea”-Achievement in Directing for Assistant Professor Jim Williams; “Dames at Sea”-Achievement in Lighting Design for Associate Professor Peggy Sannerud.
Williams was also awarded for Best Direction in the Faculty Directing Showcase for Edward Albee’s “A Play About the Baby.” This is his third consecutive year receiving this award.
WSU student Bri Dankers and her partner Anthony Schliesman advanced with 63 Irene Ryan nominees to the semi-finals in the Irene Ryan Scholarship Competition, out of a field of 325 nominees competing. Other Irene Ryan Scholarship nominees and their partners from WSU included: Amy Kennedy/Lydia Graddy-Vandenburg; Conlan Carter/Olivia Wulf; Marcus Wodarski/Andrew Halvorsen; Megan Smith/Brady Beckman; and Lilly Roe/Jessica Clarke.
The Winona Warrior Wombats advanced out of a field of 15 teams to the final four finalists in the Stage Crew Showdown. The Winona Warrior Wombats consists of seniors Dan Fredell, Anthony Stewart, Miranda Zuffa and Anderson.
THAD acting students Dankers, Carter, Roe and Molly Daun participated in professional auditions.
THAD designers Daun, Anderson, Fredell and Samantha Heaver showcased their technical work in the Design Intensive.
THAD students participated in workshops, design and acting intensives all week.
The Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education; Dr. Gerald and Paula McNichols Foundation; The Honorable Stuart Bernstein and Wilma E. Bernstein; the Kennedy Center Corporate Fund; and the National Committee for the Performing Arts. The aims of this national theatre education program are to identify and promote quality in college-level theatre production. To this end, each production entered is eligible for a response by a regional KCACTF representative, and selected students and faculty are invited to participate in KCACTF programs involving scholarships, internships, grants and awards for actors, directors, dramaturgs, playwrights, designers, stage managers and critics at both the regional and national levels.
KCACTF is a national theatre program involving 18,000 students from colleges and universities nationwide and has grown into a network of more than 600 academic institutions throughout the country.
For more information on the American College Theatre Festival Region Five or WSU’s awards visit http://www.kcactf5.org/KCACTF5.ORG/Home.html or email Williams.
